U.S. patent number 10,231,363 [Application Number 15/103,394] was granted by the patent office on 2019-03-12 for modular cooling apparatus for high-voltage direct-current transmission system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to HYOSUNG HEAVY INDUSTRIES CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is HYOSUNG HEAVY INDUSTRIES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Jong-Yun Choi, Hong-Ju Jung, June-Sung Kim.
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United States Patent |
10,231,363 |
Kim , et al. |
March 12, 2019 |
Modular cooling apparatus for high-voltage direct-current
transmission system
Abstract
The present invention relates to a modular cooling apparatus for
a high-voltage direct-current transmission system. A sub-module
(10) according to the present invention comprises a power unit (12)
in the front and a capacitor unit (13) in the rear, and a heat sink
(30) for discharging heat generated from the interior is provided
in an interior space (14') of a power unit housing (14) forming the
exterior of the power unit (12). A coolant path (31) is provided in
the interior of the heat sink (30). The entrance and exit of the
coolant path (31) are located adjacent to the bottom surface of the
interior space (14'). Connecting couplers (20) for supplying
coolant to the interior space (14') are provided on the sloped
surface (16) on the bottom end of the front surface (15) of the
power unit housing (14). The sloped surface (16) is formed so as to
face the ground at an angle. On both side surfaces of the power
unit housing (14) are pass-through parts (22), each of which is
provided with a louver plate (24) having louvers (26) to allow air
to circulate between the interior space (14') and the outside. As
such, according to the present invention, heat is dissipated more
effectively while damage to the sub-module (10) due to coolant
leakage does not occur.
Inventors: |
Kim; June-Sung (Anyang-si,
KR), Jung; Hong-Ju (Seoul, KR), Choi;
Jong-Yun (Hwaseong-si, KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HYOSUNG HEAVY INDUSTRIES CORPORATION |
Seoul |
N/A |
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
HYOSUNG HEAVY INDUSTRIES
CORPORATION (Seoul, KR)
|
Family
ID: |
53479231 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/103,394 |
Filed: |
December 24, 2014 |
PCT
Filed: |
December 24, 2014 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/KR2014/012858 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
June 10, 2016 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2015/099469 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
July 02, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160295737 A1 |
Oct 6, 2016 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 26, 2013 [KR] |
|
|
10-2013-0163956 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K
7/209 (20130101); H05K 7/20927 (20130101); H05K
7/20272 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H05K
7/20 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;165/80.4 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
2867712 |
|
Feb 2007 |
|
CN |
|
201336793 |
|
Oct 2009 |
|
CN |
|
103036452 |
|
Apr 2013 |
|
CN |
|
1484954 |
|
Dec 2004 |
|
EP |
|
06-004179 |
|
Jan 1994 |
|
JP |
|
06-204674 |
|
Jul 1994 |
|
JP |
|
2012-084639 |
|
Apr 2012 |
|
JP |
|
10-0465088 |
|
Jan 2005 |
|
KR |
|
2012/136467 |
|
Oct 2012 |
|
WO |
|
2014/090071 |
|
Jun 2014 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
English translation ofFujitsu Ltd. JP 06-204674. cited by examiner
.
English translation of Guangfu (CN 103036452). cited by
examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Atkisson; Jianying
Assistant Examiner: Attey; Joel
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Novick, Kim & Lee, PLLC Kim;
Jae Youn
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A modular cooling apparatus for a high-voltage direct-current
transmission system, the apparatus comprising: a housing forming an
external shape and having an internal space; external couplers
disposed through an inclined surface, which is inclined downward at
a lower portion of a front of the housing, and configured to be
connected with cooling water hoses; a heat sink disposed in the
internal space, and having a cooling water channel disposed
therein, wherein one or more heat sources are mounted on an
external surface of the heat sink and the cooling water channel is
disposed adjacent to the one or more heat sources; and internal
couplers respectively disposed at an inlet and an outlet of the
cooling water channel and respectively connected to the external
couplers through respective internal connection pipes, wherein the
inclined surface is disposed between and respectively connected
with the front and a bottom of the housings, wherein the heat sink
is disposed on an outer side of a support plate erected in the
internal space, and the inlet and the outlet of the cooling water
channel are formed at a lower end of the heat sink adjacent to a
bottom of the internal space, and wherein a hole is formed through
a side of the housing that faces the heat sink and a louver plate
is disposed over the hole.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external couplers have a
function of allowing and preventing flow of cooling water flowing
therein.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the louver plate has a
plurality of louvers so that air flows between the internal space
and an outside of the housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the hole and the louver plate
are applied to both sides of the housing.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a modular cooling apparatus for a
high-voltage direct-current transmission system and, more
particularly, to a modular cooling apparatus for a high-voltage
direct-transmission system for discharging heat generated in a
modular apparatus for a high-voltage direct-current transmission
system.
BACKGROUND ART
A High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) system supplies power by
converting AC power from a power plant into DC power, transmitting
the DC power, and then inverting the DC power into AC power at a
power receiving point. The HVDC system has a loss of power less
than an AC transmission type, so it has high power transmission
efficiency. Further, the system can improve stability through line
separation and has small inductive disturbance, so it is
advantageous in long-distance power transmission.
The HVDC system is installed in a structure called a converter
module composed of a plurality of submodules stacked 10 meters high
in a plurality of layers. The submodules generate a large amount of
heat during operation. Accordingly, many studies on structures for
discharging heat generated by a submodule to the outside have been
conducted. In particular, it is required to separate all components
including a cable and a cooling water hose connected to a submodule
in order to take down a submodule from a high position for
maintenance on the ground.
However, cooling water that leaks while the cooling hose is
separated from the submodule may flow into the submodule and may
cause leakage of electricity or corrosion. This is because the
cooling water hose extends into the submodule through the top of
the submodule and water leaking from the cooling water hose can
enter the submodule.
Further, the cooling water hose should be separated from the
submodule to maintain the submodule, but it cannot, so the
submodule should be moved together with the cooling water hose.
Furthermore, since the cooling water hose etc. are positioned over
the submodule, it is difficult for a worker to work over the
submodule.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
An object of the present invention is to keep a cooling water hose
for discharging heat generated from a module in a high-voltage
direct-current transmission system under the module and to prevent
water from entering the module even if water leaks.
Another object of the present invention is to connect an internal
connection pipe and a cooling water hose to each other using a
coupler in a module for a high-voltage direct-current transmission
system.
Another object of the present invention is to discharge leaking
water between a cooling water hose and a coupler to the outside by
forming the outer side of a housing, which accommodates the
coupler, at a predetermined angle to the gravitational
direction.
Another object of the present invention is to make smooth airflow
between the outside and the inside of a module for a high-voltage
direct-current transmission system.
Technical Solution
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a modular cooling apparatus for a high-voltage direct-current
transmission system, the apparatus including: a housing forming an
external shape and having an internal space; external couplers
disposed through an inclined surface, which is inclined downward at
a lower portion of a front of the housing, and connected with
cooling water houses; a heat sink disposed in the internal space,
having a cooling water channel therein, and mounted with heat
sources; and internal couplers disposed at an inlet and an outlet
of the cooling water channel and connected to the external couplers
through internal connection pipes.
The heat sink may be disposed on an outer side of a support plate
erected in the internal space, and the inlet and the outlet of the
cooling water channel may be formed at a lower end of the heat sink
close to a bottom of the internal space.
The external couplers may have a function of allowing and
preventing flow of cooling water flowing therein.
The inclined surface may be formed by cutting off an edge between
the front and a bottom of the housing.
A hole may be formed through a side of the housing that faces the
heat sink and a louver plate may be disposed over the hole.
The louver plate may have a plurality of louvers so that air flows
between the internal space and the outside.
The hole and the louver plate may be applied to both sides of the
housing.
Advantageous Effects
It is possible to achieve the following effects from the modular
cooling apparatus for a high-voltage direct-current transmission
system according to the present invention.
According to the present invention, since the external couplers for
connecting the internal pipes and the cooling water hoses in the
module to discharge heat using cooling water are disposed at the
lower end of the power unit housing that forms the external shape
of the module, even if cooling water leaks, the cooling water
cannot flow into the module.
Further, since the internal connection pipes and the cooling water
hoses are connected by the external couplers in the housing, when
the cooling water hoses are separated from the external couplers,
the module for a high-voltage direct-current transmission system
can be moved, so it is possible to simply maintain the module.
Further, since the external couplers are disposed through the
inclined surface at the lower end of the front of the housing, even
if water leaks between the external couplers and the cooling water
hoses, it cannot flow inside the housing, so damage to the module
is prevented.
Further, since holes are formed through the sides of the power unit
housing and are covered with louver plates having a plurality of
louvers, air can smoothly flow between the internal space and the
outside, so heat can be efficiently discharged.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a module
for a high-voltage direct-current transmission system equipped with
a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of an
embodiment of the present invention with a power housing and a
louver plate removed.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a heat sink according to an
embodiment of the present invention on a support plate in an
internal space.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the
heat sink according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view showing use of a submodule for a high-voltage
direct-current transmission system according to an embodiment of
the present invention in a structure.
MODE FOR INVENTION
An embodiment of a modular cooling apparatus for a high-voltage
direct-current transmission system according to the present
invention is described hereafter in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings. A submodule of modules for a high-voltage
direct-current transmission system is exemplified herein.
As shown in the figures, a submodule 10 equipped with a cooling
apparatus according to an embodiment is largely composed of a power
unit 12 and a capacitor unit 13. Various power semiconductors and
various boards are in the power unit 12. A power unit housing 14
forms the external shape of the power unit 12. An internal space
14' is defmed in the power unit 12 by the power unit housing 14 and
various components of the power unit 12 are disposed in the
internal space 14'.
In this embodiment, the power unit housing 14 has a substantially
hexahedral shape. The front 15' of the power unit housing 14 is a
flat surface with an inclined surface 16 at the lower end. The
inclined surface 16 is formed by cutting off the edge between the
front 15 and the bottom of the power unit housing 14. The inclined
surface 16 faces at an angle the floor where the power unit 12 is
located.
A display unit 18 is on the inclined surface 16. The display unit
18 shows the state of the submodule 10. Obviously, signals are
connected between the submodule 10 and a controller (not shown)
through the display unit 18.
External couplers 20 are disposed at a side on the inclined surface
16. The external couplers 20 are parts where cooling water hoses
(not shown) are connected. Two external couplers 20 are arranged in
a line on the inclined surface 16, one of which is an inlet for
cooling water and other one is an outlet for cooling water that has
circulated in the module. The external couplers 20 are disposed
through the inclined surface 16 at the lower portion of the front
15 of the power unit housing 14. The external couplers 20 may be
opened and closed. In this case, a work has only to remove cooling
hoses without cooling water discharged after closing the external
couplers.
A hole 22 is formed through a side of the power unit housing 14.
The hole 22 communicates the internal space 14' with the outside
and is formed in a rectangle in the figures. It is possible to
approach and maintain the components in the internal space 14'
through the hole 22.
A louver plate 24 is disposed over the hole 22. The hole 22 is
covered with the louver plate 24. A plurality of louvers 26 is
formed in rows through the louver plate 24. Air can flow between
the internal space 14' and the outside through the louvers 26. The
hole 22 and the louver plate 24 may be applied to the opposite side
of the power unit housing 14.
A support plate 28 is erected in the internal space 14', as shown
in FIG. 3. The support plate 28 is disposed in the space defined by
the power unit housing 14. The separation plate 28 divides the
internal space 14' into desired spaces and is where a heat sink 30
to be described below is mounted.
The heat sink 30 is mounted on the support plate 28. The heat sink
30 is made of metal having a high heat transfer rate. For example,
the heat sink 30 may be made of aluminum.
A cooling water channel 31 is formed in the heat sink 30, as shown
in FIG. 5. The cooling water channel 31 is formed along several
paths in the heat sink 30. The cooling water channel 31 is formed
particularly in an area where heat sources 36 to be described below
are mounted. The inlet and outlet of the cooling water channel 31
are exposed out of the heat sink 30 and are formed at the lowest
portion in the gravitational direction in the heat sink 30. That
is, the inlet and the outlet of the cooling water channel 31 are
formed at the lower portion of the heat sink 30 close to the bottom
of the internal space 14'. This is for preventing water leaking
through the inlet and the outlet, that is, water leaking from
internal couplers 32 (described below) at the inlet and the outlet
from flowing to other components.
The internal couplers 32 are disposed at the inlet and the outlet
of the cooling water channel 31. The internal couplers 32 are
disposed respectively at the inlet and the outlet of the cooling
water channel 31 of the heat sink 30. The internal connection pipes
34 connect the internal couplers 32 and the external couplers 20.
The internal connection pipes 34 delivers cooling water from the
internal space 14' to the heat sink 30 and delivers the cooling
water coming out after flowing in the heat sink 30 to the cooling
water hose through the internal coupler 20. The internal connection
pipes 34 may be made of a soft material or metal.
The heat sink 30 is attached to the support plate 28 and the heat
sink 30 is vertically erected, so the heat sink 30 is also
vertically erected. The heat sources 36 are attached to the heat
sink 30. Various devices, such as an IGBT, may be used for the heat
sources 36.
The submodule 10 according to an embodiment of the present
invention is installed in a high-rise structure 40, as shown in
FIG. 6. The structure 40 is about 10m high and has a plurality of
floors, and the submodule 10 is installed on each floor. The
submodule 10 is installed and used on each floor of the structure
40.
Use of the modular cooling apparatus for a high-voltage
direct-current transmission system according to the present
invention having the configuration described above is described in
detail hereafter.
The submodule 10 is installed and used on each floor of the
structure 40, as shown in FIG. 6. The power units 12 of the
submodules 10 are connected to a controller on the ground where the
structure 40 is constructed through cables. Control signals from
the controller are transmitted to the control boards in the power
units 12 of the submodules 10 through the cables. The control
signals transmitted to the control board are transmitted to the
components in the power units 12, thereby operating the submodules
10. The operational states of the submodules 10 or the operational
states of the components in the submodules 10 are shown by the
display units 18.
The heat sources 36 generate a large amount of heat while the
submodule 10 operates. Cooling water is supplied to remove the heat
and transmits the heat to the outside while flowing through the
cooling water channel 31 in the heat sink 30.
That is, cooling water hoses are connected to the external couplers
20 to supply cooling water to the power unit 12 through one of the
external couplers 20. Cooling water is supplied to the internal
connection pipe 34 through the external coupler 20 and the cooling
water passing through the internal connection pipe 34 flows into
the cooling water channel 31 through the internal coupler 32 at the
inlet of the cooling water channel 31.
The cooling water flowing in the cooling water channel 31 takes the
heat transmitted to the heat sink 30 from the heat sources 35 and
the heat is transmitted to the internal connection pipe 34 through
the internal coupler 32 at the outlet of the cooling water channel
32 while the cooling water circulates through the cooling water
channel 31. The cooling water flows through the internal connection
pipe 34 connected to the internal coupler 32 at the outlet of the
cooling water channel 31, flows to the cooling water hose through
the external coupler 20, and is then discharged out of the power
unit 12. The cooling water flowing in the cooling water hose flows
to another cooling structure in the structure 40 and discharges the
heat to the outside. The cooling water that has discharged heat in
the cooling structure can discharge heat again through the path
described above.
The submodules 10 need to be maintained. In order to take the
submodule 10 out of the structure 40 and work with submodule 10 on
the ground, it is required to separate the cable connected to the
display unit 18 and the cooling water hoses connected to the
external couplers 20.
The cooling water hoses can be separated from the external couplers
20 after fully discharging the cooling water out of the submodule
10. Obviously, when the external couplers 20 can be opened and
closed, the cooling water hoses can be separated from the external
couplers 20 with all the two external couplers 20 closed.
Accordingly, it is possible to take out the submodule from the
structure 40 for repairs.
Portions where cooling water may leak from the submodule 10 are the
inlet and outlet of the cooling water channel 31 of the heat sink
30, the internal couplers 34 at the inlet and outlet, and the
external couplers 20 protruding through the inclined surface 16 on
the front 15 of the power unit housing 14.
The inlet and outlet of the cooling water channel 31 of the heat
sink 30 and the internal couplers 34 are all disposed close to the
bottom of the internal space 14'. Accordingly, even if cooling
water leaks at those places, the cooling water has little influence
on other components in the internal space 14' .
Further, the external couplers 20 are also disposed at the lower
portion of the front 15, so even if there is leaking water, the
leaking water does not cause a problem with other components. In
particular, when water leaks at the portions where the external
couplers 20 protrude out of the power unit housing 14, the water
drops at the inclined ends of the external couplers 20, but it
drops away from the power unit housing 14, so it does not cause a
problem with the submodule 10.
For reference, the internal connection pipes 34 are connected to
the ends of the external couplers 20 in the internal space 14', the
external couplers 20 and the internal connection pipes 34 are not
separated once they are connected, and even if water leaks at these
portions, it drops to the bottom of the internal space 14', so
there is no problem.
Further, the cooling hoses are connected/disconnected to/from the
portions of the external couplers 20 protruding out of the power
unit housing 14, so water may leak at these portions. However, the
leaking water at these portions is fully sent to the outside of the
power unit housing 14, so it does not influence the submodule
10.
Further, the hole 22 formed through a side of the power unit
housing 14 allows a worker to easily access the components, for
example, the heat sink 30 in the internal space 14', so heat in the
internal space 14' is discharged to the outside while air flows
between the outside and the internal space 14'. To this end, the
louver plate 24 having a plurality of louvers 26 is disposed over
the hole 22.
The above description is an example that explains the spirit of the
present invention and may be changed and modified in various ways
without departing from the basic features of the present invention
by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiment described
herein are provided not to limit, but to explain the spirit of the
present invention and the spirit and the scope of the present
invention are not limited by the embodiments. The protective range
of the present disclosure should be construed on the basis of
claims and all the technical spirits in the equivalent range should
be construed as being included in the scope of the right of the
present disclosure.
* * * * *